Electric fan.



PATENTED APR. 19, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

INVENTOR @9W/@QM P. N. ROEHRIGH. ELECTRIC PAN.

APPLIOATION FILED DB0. 1o. 1901.

No MODEL.

IJ r l l l| Valam... .H M a 11| .H 3 -u ,1.7 l W, y, linllll 070 9 oo a7 a mm M 9 a R 2v 9m 5 ||||mniH4Hx||H wlw 7 i i wiTNEssES: M/QPMM W. m,

No. 757,773. l PATENTBD APR. 19, 1904. F. N. ROBHRIGH.

ELECTRIC FAN.

APPLICATION FILED DEO. l0, 1901.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented April 19, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK N. ROEHRIOH, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC FAN.

SPECIFICATION forming` part of Letters Patent No. 757,773, dated April 19, 1904.

Application filed December 10, 1901. Serial No. 85,354. 4(No model.)

To all whom/ it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK N. RoEHRIoH, a subject of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, and a resident of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric- Fans, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to fans, and more particularly to rotary fans, such as are usually driven by electric motors.

My invention has for an object to provide an improved construction whereby the fan is caused to revolve in opposite directions about an axis which is transverse to its axis of rotation, so as to direct the current of air in different directions.

The invention is more particularly addressed to the provision of a construction whereby the fan is caused by reaction to revolve first in one direction and then in an opposite direction between limits which may be adjusted so as to cause the current of air to be uniformly distributed through any desired portion of a room in which thc fan may be located.

These and other objects of my 'invention will more fully appear from the following description.

My invention consists in the novel parts, improvements, and combinations herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, which are referred to herein and form a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of my invention and serve, in connection with the description herein` to explain the principles of my invention and the best mode contemplated by me of carrying those principles into effect.

Of the drawings, Figure -1 is a side elevation of a fan constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. Figs. 4. and 5 are respectively a section and a front elevation of a detail of the mechanism.

In carrying my invention into effect a rotary fan of a type having when in motion a reaction in the direction of its axis, resulting from the propulsion of the air, is mounted on a movable support. Means are provided for driving the fan, and provision is made for intermittently shifting the fan with relation to i the support, so as to cause the fan by its reaction to intermittently move the support. In the best form of the invention the motor for driving the fan is mounted on or forms the movable support for the fan, and the fan is intermittently shifted in opposite directions, so as to act by reaction to alternately move the support in opposite directions. In accordance with the embodiment of my invention illustrated the motor by which the fan is supported and driven is pivotally mounted on a suitable base-support,so that the motor, together with the fan, may revolve in opposite directions on an axis which is substantially vertical and at right angles to the axis of rotation of the motor. A flexible coupling connection is provided between the shaft-of the motor and the shaft of the fan, and means are provided for automatically shifting the fan on the support or motor, so as to throw the-axial line of the fan to one side of or out of the plane of the pivotal axis of the motor first in one direction and then in another, whereby the fan acts by reaction to move the motor alternately in opposite directions. l

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 1 indicates the frame or casing of the motor, and 2 indicates the base or support upon which the motor is pivotally mounted, there being by preference a set of three or more antifrictioh-rollers 3 arranged between Athese i parts,

the relative positions of said antifriction-rollf ers being fixed by a suitable frame or spider 4, which is mounted concentrically witluthe pivotal connection between the motor andA its support. Any other suitable form `of antifriction-bearing may obviously be used. The

fan 5 is mounted on a short shaft 6, which is journaled in a suitable yoke 7. The yoke 7 is pivotally mounted, by vmeans of the alined pivot-bolts 8 and 9, upon an auxiliary frame 10, which is rigidly connected to the motorcasing 1 by means of three arms 11, 12, and 13.

The shaft 6 of the fan may be connected to shaft 14 of the motor by any suitable form of flexible coupling connection adapted to permit the shaft 6 to be thrown out of line with the shaft 14: in oppositedirections. The form of connection shown consists of a universal IOO joint formed of two interlocking sections 15 and 16, which are respectively connected to the heads 17 A and 18, fixed ,on the opposing ends of the shafts 6 and 14. The axis of the pivot-bolts 8 and 9 is preferably arranged to intersect the universal joint. While the axis of the pivot-bolts 8 and 9 is preferably arranged at right angles to the axis of the shafts '8 and 14, as shown, it may obviously be arranged at some other angle to one or both of said shafts, if desired.

For the purpose of limiting themovement of the yoke 7 in either direction a pair of stops 2O and 21 are provided, said stops being rigidly connected to the auxiliary frame 10. Preferably the stops 2O and 21 are adjustable, being, as shown,in the form of set-screws which are tapped in the ends of lugs 22 and 23, formed integrallywith the frame 10. Jam-nuts 24 and 25 are provided to insure the permanency of the adjustment of the screws. By means of these stops the `angle assumed by the shaft 6 may be nicely adjusted in either direction. The yoke 7 may beheld in contact with the stops 2O and 21 by any suitable means. Preferably and as shown a spring 26 is so connected with an arm 27 of the yoke and the arm 11 as to hold the yoke in contact with either stop.

contact with one stop the reaction of the air on the fan will be in such direction as to cause the motor to revolve on its support in one direction, and when the yoke is in contact with the other stop the direction of the revolution of the motor will be reversed. Any suitable means may be provided for automatically shifting the yoke from one stop to the other. In accordance with the construction shown this means consists of an arm 27, which is suit yoke in line with the pivot-bolts 8 andY 9.'

Any suitable means may be provided for operating the arm 272. As shown, a bar 30 is fixed to the base 2 and extends around the base of the motor adjacent to the path of the arm 27, said bar being provided with a pair of adjustable stops 31 and 32, adapted to limit the movement of the armin either direction. The momentum of the motor, together with the reaction on the fan, will cause the arm 27 X to shift the yoke from one of the Ystops 2O or 21 to the other whenever the arm 27EL comes in Contact with either of the stops 31 and 32. It will thus be seen that by adjusting the stops 31 and 32 the range of the movement of the motor on its support may be adjusted as desired.

A suitable guard 33 for the fan may be secured to the yoke 7 by means of the arms 27, 34, and 35.

The operation of the device having been o fully described in connection' with the construction thereof, further description of the operation will be unnecessary.

My invention in its broader aspects is not limited vto the precise construction shown nor to the precisie construction by which it may be carried, into effect; as many changes may be made in such construction without departing from. the main principles of my invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

1. The combination of a movable support, a rotary fan mounted on said support, means for driving said fan, and means for shifting the fan on the support whereby the fan by its reaction acts to move the support.

2. The combination of a movable support, a rotary fan mounted on said support, means for driving said fan, and automatic means for intermittently shifting the fan on the support whereby the fan acts by reaction to intermittently move the support.

3. The combination of a movable support, a rotary fan mounted on said support, means for driving said fan, and automatic means for shifting the fan on the support in opposite directions, whereby the fanA acts by reaction to -move the support in opposite directions. It will be observed that when the yokeis in K 4. The combination of a pivoted support, a rotary fan mounted on said support, a motor for driving said fan, and automatic means for intermittently shifting the fan on the support so as to throw the axial line of the fan to one side of the pivotal lineof the support and l then back toward said pivotal line, whereby ythe fan acts by reaction to intermittently move the support in one direction.

5. The combination of a pivoted support, a rotary fan mounted on said support, a motor mounted on said support for driving said'fan, and automatic means for intermittently shifting the fan on the support so asto throw the axial line of the fan to one side of the pivotalline of the support and then back toward said pivotal line, whereby the fan acts by reaction to intermittently move the support in one direction.

6. The combination of a pivoted support, a rotary fan mounted on said support, a motor for driving said fan, and mechanism for shifting the fan on the support in opposite directions so as to throw theaxial line 'of the fan alternately on opposite sides o f the pivotal line of the support, whereby the fan acts by reaction toV move the support alternately in opposite directions. ,l i,

7 The combination of a pivoted support, a

-rotary fan lmounted on said support, a motor fort driving Said fan, fiexible coupling connectlons between said motor and said fan, and

automaticlmeans lfor intermittently shifting the fan on the support so as to throw the axial line of the fan to one side of the pivotal line of the support and then back toward said piv- TOO IIO

otal line, whereby the fan acts by reaction to intermittently move the support in one direction.

8. The combination of a motor pivotally mounted on a suitable base-support, a rotary fan, a iexible coupling connection between said motor and said fan, and automatic means for intermittently shifting the axis of the fan out of and into the plane of the pivotal axis of the motor, whereby the motor is caused to intermittently revolve on its support.

9. The combination of a motor pivotally mounted on a suitable support, a rotary fan, a flexible coupling connection between said m0- tor and said fan, and means for automatically shifting the axis of the fan out of the plane of the pivotal axis of the motor first in one direction and then in another whereby the motor is caused to revolve on its support alternately in opposite directions.

10. The combination of a motor pivotally mounted on a suitable support, a rotary fan, a flexible coupling connection between said motor and said fan, a yoke in which the fan is journaled, said yoke being pivotally mounted on said motor in a line intersecting said flexible connection and approximately parallel with the pivotal axis of the motor-support, and means for shifting said yoke on its pivot so as to cause the motor to rotate on its support alternately in opposite directions.

11. vThe combination of a motor pivotally mounted on a suitable support, a rotary fan, a flexible coupling connection between said motor and said fan, a yoke in which the fan is journaled, said yoke being pivotally mounted on said motor in a line intersecting said exible connection and approximately parallel with the pivotal axis of the motor-support, meanst'or shifting said yoke on its pivot so as to throw the axis of' the fan out of the plane of the pivotal axis of the motor in opposite directions, fand adjustable stops for fixing the position of: the yoke ineither direction.

l2. The combinationof a motor pivotally mounted on a suitable support, a rotary fan, a flexible coupling connection between said motor and said fan, a yoke in which the fan is journaled, said yoke being pivotally mounted on said motor in a line intersecting said fiexible connection and approximately parallel with the axis of the motor-support, means for shifting said yoke on its pivot so as to throw the axis of' the fan out of the plane of the pivotal axis of the motor in opposite directions, adjustable stops for fixing the position of the yoke in either direction and a spring so connected to the yoke as to hold it in contact with either stop.

13. The combination of a motor pivotally mounted on a suitable support, a rotary fan, a flexible coupling connection between said motor and said fan, a yoke in which the fan is journaled, said yoke being pivotally mounted on said motor in a line intersecting said iiexible connection and approximately .parallel with the pivotal axis of the motor-suppor-t, an arm connected to said yoke and extending on the opposite side of' the pivot-line thereof from the fan, and means connected to the motorsupport and adapted to operate said arm so as to cause the motor to rotate on its support alternately in opposite directions.

14. The combination of a Inotor pivotally mounted on a suitable support, a rotary fan, a flexible coupling connection between said motor and said fan, a yoke in which the fan is journaled, said yoke being pivotally mounted on said motor in a line intersecting said fiexible connection and approximately parallel with the pivotal axis of the motor-support, an arm connected to said yoke and extending on the opposite side ofthe pivot-line thereof from the fan, a bar carried by the motor-support and a pair of stops adjustably connected to said bar and adapted to operate said arm so as to cause the motor to rotate on its support alternately in opposite directions.

15. The combination of a motor pivotally mounted on a suitable support, a rotary fan, a fiexible coupling connection between said motor and said fan, a yoke in which the fan is journaled, said yoke being pivotally mounted on said motor in a line intersecting said flexible connection and approximately parallel with the pivotal axis of the motor-support, an arm connected to said yoke and'extending on the opposite side of the pivot-line thereof from the fan, means connected to the motor-support and adapted to operate said arm so as to throw the axis of the fan out of the plane of the pivotal axis of the motor in opposite directions, adjustable stops for fixing the position of the yoke in either direction, and a spring so connected with the yoke as to hold it incontact with either stop.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 5th day of December, A. D. 1901.

FRANK N. RoEHRicH.

Witnesses:

PETER A. Ross, M. H. LYON.

ICO 

